Osvaldo Golijov’s clarinet quintet, “The dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind”, is a deeply introspective and emotionally charged work that blends the clarinet’s soulful, singing quality with the warmth and resonance of the string quartet.

Drawing from a wide palette of influences — including Jewish, Eastern European, and Latin American musical traditions — Golijov crafts a sound world that feels both ancient and modern.

The quintet unfolds with lyrical beauty, delicate textures, and moments of aching stillness, inviting listeners into a space of memory, longing, and quiet transcendence. It’s a work of subtle power and poetic depth.

This live concert recording from the CBSO Centre features Mark O’Brien on clarinet, with Nate Bomans and Yuriko Matsuda on violins, Catherine Bower on viola and Miguel Fernandes on cello; all members of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.